Vatican City: Baroque Art, Architecture, and Religious Influence

Vatican City: Baroque Art and Architecture

Key Elements of the Baroque Period

Vatican 1:

• a) Vatican, Rome (IT)
• b) Lorenzo Bernini
• c) Baroque Style
• d) 1656-67
• e) Lintel

2: Historical Context: This period is notable for the interplay between crisis and progress. Many problems arose: social conflict, stagnation in agriculture and industry, pestilence, and war. However, it was also a time when colonial empires emerged, helping to alleviate these crises.

B) Cultural Context: The art center during the 17th century was in Rome. During this period, there was a scientific breakthrough in opera.

C) Religious Context: Religion saw a reaffirmation of the principles of the Catholic Church. The papacy was strengthened, and the Jesuits were created to curb the Counter-Reformation.

The Role of the Baroque

The role of the Baroque was to inspire faith and evoke emotion through the senses.

Baroque Characteristics

A) Caracas: The church was the largest patron of artists, seeking to promote the fervor of the masses. It tended towards theatrical settings for capture. Religious architecture in Italian churches was built with a variety of plans. The most common was a single nave, side chapels, a simple apse, and a transept dome. Civil architecture saw the baroque palace as square and closed, like a fortress.

B) Other Key Architects:

• Carlo Maderno: Notable for completing St. Peter's Cathedral and the facade of Santa Susanna.
• Francesco Borromini: Known for his fantasy style, drama, and expression. Works include San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane and San Ivo alla Sapienza.
• Baldassare Longhena: Famous for the church of Santa Maria della Salute.

St. Peter's Square Colonnade

4 - The colonnade delimits St. Peter's Square. This square was designed to accommodate a large number of pilgrims. The project took into account the uneven terrain, and the square was designed to have a special meaning and be a defined, enclosed environment. Bernini created a first section in the form of a trapezoid, leading to the elliptical plaza facade. A large ellipse was then established, with an obelisk at the center, fountains, and arms. The two arms have a symbolic purpose of hosting the faithful. The colonnade is formed by two semi-circles. The portico is constituted by four rows of Ionic entablature. The 296 Doric columns form a kind of forest, which appears infinite from any point, separating the plaza from the exterior. The colonnade culminates in a balustrade with 140 statues of saints. The colonnade has a functional character charged with symbolism and a scenographic characterization.

Lorenzo Bernini

5-Other: Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1667) was a very important Baroque architect of the time.

A) Works: The Goat Amalthea, Bust of Santoni and Giovani Vigevano, the Aeneid, Apollo and Daphne, among others.

Function of St. Peter's Square

6 - Func.: The role of St. Peter's Square was to provide dignified access to its status as the headquarters of the Church. St. Peter's Square was established in the natural union between the Basilica and the city, granting it an openness while defining a privileged access to the site.